Shocker! Hunye Unveils Odunowo As Deputy, Insists He Remains in Ogun APC Governorship Race

ABEOKUTA — A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Hon. Abayomi Hunye, has declared that he remains in the 2027 governorship race, dismissing reports that he had stepped down in favour of the APC consensus candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi.

Hunye made the declaration while unveiling Otunba Abayomi Odunowo, a former governorship aspirant, as his running mate, saying the decision was necessary to ensure that his political structure remains active throughout the electoral process.

The APC aspirant, who said he was currently challenging the emergence of Adeola as the party’s governorship candidate in court, disclosed that another court proceeding had been scheduled for the following Thursday.

He urged his supporters not to be distracted by rumours concerning his political ambition, insisting that he remained confident that the judiciary would deliver justice on the matter.

According to him, his decision to continue with campaign preparations was informed by provisions of the amended electoral framework, which, he argued, require candidates challenging electoral processes in court to continue participating in subsequent stages of the process.

He explained that he had initially chosen to remain silent but decided to clarify his position because of what he described as misleading reports about his withdrawal from the race.

Hunye further explained that his decision to proceed with the unveiling of his running mate was informed by recent amendments to the electoral framework, which, according to him, require aspirants involved in pre-election litigation to participate in subsequent stages of the electoral process.

He said he did not want to find himself in a situation where he eventually secured a favourable court judgment but was unable to demonstrate that he had participated in the campaign process.

According to him, the amendments had significantly changed the rules governing pre-election disputes, including the requirement that such matters be resolved before the conduct of the election.

He added that several amendments had been introduced into the electoral framework, noting that pre-election matters were now expected to be concluded before the election rather than being allowed to linger for years.

Hunye said he was determined not to be caught unprepared by the new provisions, stressing that his participation in the campaign process did not mean he had abandoned his legal challenge.

The APC aspirant reiterated his confidence in the judiciary, saying he believed strongly that justice would be done in his case.

“I am still in the race. We are in court. I am in court challenging the announcement of Yayi as the candidate of APC. And we are in court. Next Thursday, we will also be in court, and I believe that, at the end of the day, victory is ours.

“Before now, it wasn’t like that. What you are saying in essence is that you don’t get to contest, you have not participated in the process, and then you want the court to declare you as the winner. You must participate in every stage of the process.

“We want to ensure that every stage of the process we are in, we are participating, and that’s why we are here.

“I don’t want to get to court and say everything has been done, but I have not proved that we are doing anything as to that. I don’t want to be caught unaware of the process,” he stated.

On the choice of his running mate, Hunye said he deliberately selected Odunowo because of his experience, capacity and longstanding commitment to progressive politics in Ogun State.

He described Odunowo as a long-time friend and political associate, stressing that their partnership was based on mutual confidence and a shared vision for the state.

Hunye said he would have been willing to serve as Odunowo’s deputy if the governorship ticket had been zoned to Ogun East, describing his new running mate as a man capable of governing Ogun State effectively.

“I believe in his ability and capability, that he has the quality to rule this state, to govern this state. And if he possesses that kind of quality, that means we can partner together for a better tomorrow.

“He contributed so much to bring this party to life when we were talking of progressive politics. He spent quite a number of money. Nobody in this state that is a progressive person can fault what I said,” Hunye stated.

While acknowledging the political challenges confronting his camp, Hunye expressed optimism that his supporters would remain steadfast and that the courts would ultimately provide justice.

He said his campaign would rely on the support of party members, grassroots supporters and what he described as a sincere judiciary.